Specialty Faculty

Art, Library, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, and Technology

Technology – Shawna Henry

Shawna Henry earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland. Ms. Henry began her career at St. Andrew Apostle School in 1992 where she taught Middle School Science and Technology. She has held a number of positions at Holy Cross, and in 2015 became the school’s Technology Coordinator. In addition to teaching technology classes, she is also the director of the school musical.

Ms. Henry believes that the ever changing world of technology keeps her job exciting and makes learning alongside her students a necessity.

Music – Mary Bentley

Mary Bentley earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Olaf College, a law degree from the University of Chicago, and a Music Certificate from Montgomery College. She has been interim choir director at Trinity Lutheran Church, and sings with National Philharmonic Chorale at Strathmore . She maintains a private studio of piano and voice students.

Ms. Bentley taught Pre-Kindergarten for seven years at the Lutheran Church of St. Andrew and at Calvary Lutheran School. She was a musical theater, voice and piano instructor at The Musical Theater Center for ten years. She has also taught music classes at Montgomery College and at The Academy of Fine Arts in Gaithersburg. Ms. Bentley began her career with the Archdiocese of Washington at St. Jude Regional Catholic School in 2007, and joined the faculty at Holy Cross School in 2012.

Ms. Bentley believes that music lives in everyone, and that it is the language that we all speak.

Physical Education – Stephani Kolevar

Stephani Kolevar earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland, and she also completed her Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from Notre Dame (Maryland) University. She is certified to teach PK-12 Physical Education in the states of Maryland and Michigan. She is also CPR and First Aid certified, and a certified yoga teacher and personal trainer. Mrs. Kolevar has been teaching physical education at Holy Cross since 2002, excluding a three year move to Michigan.

Mrs. Kolevar also facilitates our school Mileage Club for students and families, a Yoga Club for students and faculty, and helps coach Girls on the Run.

Art – Amanda Herndon

Mrs. Amanda Herndon, a native Washingtonian, earned her degree from Boston College in Special Education with a double major in Sociology and Psychology of the Child. In 1996, she was hired to spearhead the inclusion program at Our Lady of Mercy School and continued her work there as an Inclusion Specialist from 1996 - 2005 for grades K - 8. During this time she also attended Johns Hopkins University to pursue her Master in Science of Special Education. In 1999, Mrs. Herndon received the “Heroes in Education Award” for her work in inclusion and special education. After staying at home to raise her three children, Mrs. Herndon assumed the roles of Librarian and Media specialist for grades Pre-K - 8 for at Our Lady of Mercy School for two years. Mrs. Herndon loves her role as the Art teacher here at Holy Cross School and is enjoying getting to know all the children.

Library – Jennifer Silva

Jennifer Silva earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Catholic University. After working in sales for many years, she left the workforce to raise her two daughters. She spent many years volunteering and fundraising for the Holy Cross library, and joined the faculty in 2011. She works in combination with the teachers to increase school-wide literacy and encourage a love of reading among the students. She believes in introducing all reading genres and helping the students discover books that match their interests.

Spanish – Senor Vicente Roa

Vicente Roa, a native speaker from Spain, earned Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Business and a graduate certificate in European Integration from American University. He has also studied at the University of Antwerp in Belgium. He has been teaching Spanish at Holy Cross since 2006, after retiring as a vice president at Merrill Lynch.